You shouldn’t need to sacrifice comfort or empty your wallet to keep your home at the right temperature during summer weather.
But what is the ideal temperature, exactly? We review suggestions from energy pros so you can find the best setting for your house.
Here’s what we suggest for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Brookfield.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most families find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there’s a big difference between your interior and exterior warmth, your utility costs will be greater.
This is our advice based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that seems too high, there are methods you can keep your home refreshing without having the air conditioning going all the time.
Keeping windows and curtains shut during the day keeps cool air where it should be—within your home. Some window treatments, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are designed to provide added insulation and better energy efficiency.
If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can increase thermostat settings about 4 degrees higher without sacrificing comfort. That’s due to the fact they freshen by a windchill effect. As they cool people, not spaces, shut them off when you move from a room.
If 78 degrees still seems too uncomfortable on the surface, try conducting a test for about a week. Begin by upping your temperature to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, steadily lower it while adhering to the advice above. You may be astonished at how cool you feel at a higher temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioning working all day while your residence is empty. Turning the temp 7–10 degrees hotter can save you an estimated 5–15% on your electricity costs, according to the DOE.
When you get home, don’t be tempted to set your thermostat below 78 to cool your house more quickly. This isn’t useful and typically produces a higher air conditioner bill.
A programmable thermostat is a helpful approach to keep your temperature in check, but it requires setting programs. If you don’t use programs, you run the risk of forgetting to move the set temperature when you go.
If you want a hassle-free fix, consider installing a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at home and when you’re gone. Then it intuitively adjusts temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? About $180 yearly on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another benefit of getting a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to keep an eye on and regulate temperature settings from nearly anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR suggests 82 degrees, that could be unbearable for many families. The majority of people sleep better when their bedroom is cold, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation recommends 60–67 degrees. But that could be too cold, depending on your pajama and blanket preference.
We advise running a comparable test over a week, setting your thermostat higher and gradually lowering it to determine the ideal temp for your residence. On pleasant nights, you might find keeping windows open at night and running a ceiling fan is a better option than operating the air conditioning.
More Methods to Save Energy This Summer
There are other ways you can spend less money on energy bills throughout warm weather.
- Get an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and get less efficient as they become older. An updated air conditioner can keep your residence more comfortable while keeping electricity bills low.
- Schedule annual air conditioner maintenance. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your equipment operating like it should and may help it work at greater efficiency. It can also help lengthen its life cycle, since it allows pros to uncover small troubles before they create a major meltdown.
- Replace air filters regularly. Use manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A dirty filter can result in your system short cycling, or switch on and off too frequently, and increase your electrical.
- Measure attic insulation levels. Nearly 90% of residences in the U.S. don’t have adequate insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. Most southern climates require 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates should have 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork checked. Ductwork that has separated over time can let conditioned air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can result in huge comfort issues in your house, including hot and cold spots.
- Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep humid air where it belongs by plugging openings. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to keep more cold air indoors.
Conserve More Energy During Warm Weather with Central Air LLC
If you need to conserve more energy this summer, our Central Air LLC specialists can assist you. Get in touch with us at 203-357-5913 or contact us online for more details about our energy-saving cooling solutions.